Curracloe add another item to trophy cabinet

Division 4A

Curracloe have another piece of silverware to fit into the cabinet at one of the league's best facilities at 'The Riverfield' after their second string edged local foes Bridge Rovers, and Carne, to take the Division 4A crown.

Curracloe and Carne met in the first week of the season and the champions eked out a 1-0 success that really set them on the way.

That first game was one of three wins on the bounce before they hit what could be described as a sticky patch, a run of three games with just four points garnered, including a crushing 5-2 defeat at Bogside to local rivals Bridge Rovers.

However, things soon began to turn for United and they went on a run of 13 wins in a row to storm to the title, despite a meaningless, last game of the season loss to Corach Ramblers.

Curracloe were able to mix a nice blend youth and experience. Niall Cash, Aaron Hearne, Ryan Donnelly and 17-year old Craig Parker are all just out of the youths team and brought a freshness to the side.

The experience in the team came from Darren Doyle, former first team player John Redmond and Michael Rossiter who, after 18 years playing with the club, finally picked up his first medal.

Mark O'Connor took the league 'player of the year' award thanks in no small part to his 20-plus goal salvo.

He was supported in his attacking endeavours by the quartet of Kerill Sutton, Brian O'Connor, Robbie Staples and Garreth Gillen, a former All-Ireland winner at Under-14 level with Wexford.

While Curracloe and Rovers move up to the higher reaches of Division 4 next year, Forth Celtic's third string and Ferns 'B' both drop down to play in Division 5 in the 2015-'16 season.